Device for scanning coded information

Abstract

 The present invention provides a device for scanning and reading coded information on one or more articles, comprising a housing in which the scanning equipment is arranged and which is provided on one side with a window for passage of scanning beams, said housing including a bottom cover for engagement with a base surface or with a foot part via coupling means for pivoting the housing towards and away from the user of the device.

Description

[0001] So-called scanners are used to an increasing extent to read information in the form of a bar code on articles in supermarkets and the like. Such scanners are usually disposed in upright position close to a cash point or in one plane (flush) with a table or counter along which the articles are guided.

[0002] EP-A-0478376 discloses an optical scanner including a housing assembly rotatedly mounted on a support member.

[0003] EP-A-0496476 discloses a mechanical joint for symbol code scanners for varying the relative position of the scanner and the processing device.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact scanner, for instance for less frequent use than in a supermarket, such as on the premises of dispensing chemists and the like, wherein the scanner can easily be incorporated into an existing environment and wherein modification to this environment are avoided.

[0005] The present invention provides a device for scanning and reading coded information on one or more articles, comprising a housing in which the scanning equipment is arranged and which is provided on one side with a window for passage of scanning beams, said housing including a bottom cover for engagement with a base surface or with a foot part via coupling means for pivoting the housing towards and away from the user of the device.

[0006] Contrary to the above mentioned prior art scanners, the device according to the present invention can be installed on a table or counter either with or without coupling means for pivoting or swivelling the housing towards and away from the user of the device.

[0007] Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will become apparent in the light of the following description with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows a side view of a first preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention in a first position;

fig. 2 shows an exploded view in perspective of the device of fig. 1;

fig. 3 shows a partly broken away view in more detail of the device of fig. 1 and 2;

fig. 4 is a view along the line IV-IV in fig. 3;

fig. 5 shows a side view of a second preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

[0008] A first preferred embodiment 1 (fig. 1, 2, 3 and 4) of the device according to the present invention comprises a housing 2 in which the scanning equipment, such as a semiconductor laser and mirrors, and the electronics required for reading are accommodated in a manner not shown. On the front (fig. 2) the housing 2 is provided with a window 3 for passage of the laser beam. The device 1 is placed on a foot part 4, in this embodiment in the form of a forward extending plate which protrudes as far as a point beneath the furthest forward tilted position of housing 2. The housing 2 can be placed in discrete positions relative to foot part 4 using coupling means 5 which are arranged in a bellows or concertina 6 between foot part 4 and housing 2. Foot part 4 is provided on the side with a recess 7 along which a cable (not shown) for the scanning equipment can be carried away to the side, while it is also possible to carry away the cable through a hole in the base surface on which the foot part 4 is placed. The housing is shown in fig. 1 in its position tilted furthest forward, wherein stop parts 8 lie against stop parts 9. If the device of fig. 1 is used mainly in backward tilted positions, the foot part 4 can be placed into a position rotated through 180° shown with broken lines in order to likewise ensure the balance of the device in backward tilted position.

[0009] The coupling means 5 (fig. 2, 3 and 4) comprise a shaft 11 provided with a locking element 12, which shaft 11 is placed through bearing elements 13 on a plate part 14 which is fixedly screwable to a connecting piece 16 using screws 15. The connecting piece 16 can be fixed to foot part 4 using screws 17. The distance of housing 2 from the base surface is determined by the choice of the connecting piece, that is, by the height thereof. The shaft 11 is further placed through bearing elements 18 on a bottom plate 19 of housing 2. Shaft 11 is also inserted through click elements 21, 22, 23 and 24 onto which the respective stop parts 8 and 9 are moulded and which also comprise pinions with toothings which are mutually engaging. When the housing 2 is tilted forward or backward the pinions click into each other, each time for instance after tilting through an angle of 15°.

[0010] As shown particularly in fig. 2, the components 4, 16, 14 and 19 are provided with recesses placed one above the other for passage of the wiring (not shown). The components 4, 16, 14, 21-24 and 19 are preferably manufactured from injection moulded plastic.

[0011] In a second preferred embodiment according to the present invention (fig. 5) the housing 2' is detachable from a base plate 30 which can be fixed to a base surface U in a manner not shown. Between the underside of housing 2' and base plate 30 a snap mechanism can be arranged in a manner not shown for snapping the housing 2' onto base plate 30 in a fixed position. In the embodiment according to fig. 5, the dimensions of which roughly correspond with the actual size of the scanner, it is therefore possible to pick up housing 2 from base plate 30 and move it to an information code for scanning. In order to facilitate this picking up this housing 2' is preferably provided with a hand-grip 31. The cord or wire not shown in fig. 5 can be carried through an opening in the base surface U or be located thereover to the side or rear.

[0012] In the third and fourth preferred embodiment according to the present invention (fig. 6 and 7) a housing 42 of a compact scanner 41 is provided with a bottom cover plate 43 which is L shaped in section, which is provided with a slit 44 for the guidance of cable C1 and C2 for power supply and data transmission resp. and which is provided with openings 45 and 46 in which rubber feet (not shown) can be disposed. The bottom cover plate 43 can be fixed by screws 47 and 48 either to a base surface such as a counter (fig. 6) or to coupling means 5 which are connected to a foot part 4 (fig. 7) as described above. If, however, it is not desirable to bore holes into a base surface the cover bottom plate can be provided with rubber feet (not shown) preventing slippage of the scanner relative to the base surface.

[0013] At installation an edge 51 of the upper part of the scanner housing 42 is subsequently brought under pivoting elements 52 which are provided on the cover plate 43, whereafter the upper housing part is pivoted in the direction of arrows A and is clicked to the bottom cover. If the upper part of the scannerhousing 42 is to be detached from the bottom cover plate 43, a pin-like element, such as a screw driver is to be inserted in hole 54, whereafter the upper scanner housing part can be pivoted in the direction opposite to arrow A.

[0014] The rights applied for are in no way limited by the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The scope of the present invention is defined in the first instance by the following claims.

Claims

1. A device for scanning and reading coded information on one or more articles, comprising a housing in which the scanning equipment is arranged and which is provided on one side with a window for passage of scanning beams, said housing including a bottom cover for engagement with a base surface or with a foot part via coupling means for pivoting the housing towards and away from the user of the device.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprise a click mechanism so that the housing can be swivelled into discrete positions toward and away from the user of the device.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the foot part is directable toward or away from the user on a base surface in accordance with whether the housing has to be adjustable substantially toward or away from the user.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the housing is provided with a hand-grip.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the click mechanism comprises two or more pinions which are provided on their end sides with a toothing.

6. A device as claimed in any of the claims 2-5, provided with one or more stop parts for limiting the distance of the tilting of the housing relative to the foot part.

7. A device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein between the foot part and the housing is arranged a connecting piece, the height of which is adaptable to the wishes of the user.

8. A device as claimed in one or more of the aspects of the foregoing description and/or claims and/or the annexed figures.

9. A device as claimed in anyone of claims 1-8, wherein the bottom cover is a plate L-shaped in section.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the bottom cover plate is provided with pivoting elements for pivoting the upper housing part from a first detached position to a second operating position, and wherein said housing part is provided with clicking means for snapping said upper housing part fixedly into said second operating position.

Drawing